faithMile

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMTl9LWkXFA[/youtube]

Do You Hear What I Hear – Whitney Houston

This song is one I consider a classic, but it’s actually quite recent as far as Christmas Carols go. It was written in 1962 by a husband and wife team, and part of the inspiration was the Cuban Missile Crisis. The song was written in a part as a plea for peace.

I love the storyline of the song. It’s like a holy game of telephone. The night wind speaks to a lamb about a special star. The next verse, which is where Whitney’s version starts, has the lamb telling the boy about a beautiful song. The boy then goes and tells the king about a child and suggests they bring him gifts. Finally, the king proclaims the child’s destiny of hope to the people.

This version showcases Whitney Houston at her best, adding one more beautiful voice to carry the message.

Lyrics courtesy of Cowboy Lyrics:

Said the night wind to the little lamb
Do you see what I see
Way up in the sky little lamb
Do you see what I see
A star, a star
Dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite

Said the little lamb to the shepard boy
Do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky shepard boy
Do you hear what I hear
A song, a song
High above the tree
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea

Said the shepard boy to the mighty king
Do you know what I know
In your palace wall mighty king
Do you know what I know
A child, a child
Shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Let us bring him silver and gold

Said the king to the people everywhere
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace people everywhere
Listen to what I say
The child, the child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light

The child, the child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light

Song Wikipedia Page

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56I9oGNuMWE[/youtube]

O Holy Night – Mariah Carey

This French carol was written in 1847 and has the distinguished honor of being one of the first songs played on radio. It was originally comprised as a poem, but later translated paraphrased from French to English in song form.

This version of the song includes a gospel-infused instrumental and a choir in the background, but the standout feature is Mariah’s voice – which is phenomenal. Although, like most Christmas songs, only the first verse is recorded here, the song actually has 3 verses. All are present below, courtesy of Wikipedia.

O Holy Night Lyrics:

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Til He appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O hear the angels’ voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

Click here for the O Holy Night Wikipedia page.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCFJPZwcAIw[/youtube]

Growing up, I knew Little Drummer Boy as “The Rumpapum-pum Song”. Sure, it had other lyrics and I knew them well enough to follow along while singing, but I never gave any thought to what they meant, and I never noticed that they told a story – until this. This video is the most beautiful – and fun – telling of the Little Drummer Boy’s story that I have ever seen. I don’t think it can be topped!